DOL working to raise awareness of motorcycles

OLYMPIA—As temperatures rise across our state this season, the Department of Licensing (DOL) would like to remind drivers to watch out for an increasing number of motorcycles on our streets and highways.Riders can be difficult to see on busy roads because of their smaller size and profile. Motorists should take an extra second to be aware of what’s around them. An extra look could save a life.

DOL will continue the agency’s “Look Twice, Save a Life” public information campaign this summer to work on increasing motorist awareness of motorcycles.

Since 2008, the number of other drivers failing to yield the right of way to motorcyclists has dropped by approximately 20 percent, according to collision data compiled by the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Gov. Chris Gregoire issued a proclamation declaring May as Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month and called on motorcyclists and drivers alike to work on improving motorcycle safety this year.

The top three rider-causes of motorcycle crashes are alcohol or drug impairment, improper lane position and speeding. To legally operate a motorcycle on Washington roads, riders must have a driver license endorsement—or they could see their bike impounded even after a simple traffic stop.

DOL Director Alan Haight encourages all riders to take advantage of our state’s excellent network of motorcycle training schools.

“There are motorcycle safety classes out there for riders of all abilities,” Haight said. “These classes are critical for beginners, but also can help more experienced riders shake the rust off after a long winter and introduce new skills to increase riders’ safety and fun.” 

Motorcycle training and endorsement info on the web:  http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/motorcycles.html

New, faster vehicle and boat title service now available

Vehicle and boat owners who find themselves in a situation where they need a title certificate immediately now have a new service option called a Quick Title.

A Quick Title is an official certificate of ownership provided to a vehicle or boat owner across the counter at the time a title transaction is processed. Quick Title services are available in 16 locations around our state.

The key benefit of a Quick Title is speed. A title processed normally can take a month or more to arrive in the mail. In most circumstances, this doesn’t present any problems for vehicle or boat owners. However, sometimes an owner will lose a title and need an immediate replacement to prove ownership or sell the vehicle to someone else.

The fee to get a Quick Title is $50. This is in addition to all other fees and taxes due at the time of the transaction. Quick Titles are not available for vehicles reported to DOL as destroyed or for vehicles classified as not eligible for road use.

People seeking a Quick Title must have all of the necessary title documentation completed and ready for processing at the time of the transaction. This documentation will be carefully reviewed for completeness and accuracy before the transaction is processed.

Vehicle and boat licensing offices currently offering Quick Title services include:

• Benton County Auditor’s Office in Kennewick
• Clark County Auditor’s Office in Vancouver
• Cowlitz County Auditor’s Office in Kelso
• Franklin County Auditor’s Office in Pasco
• Jefferson County Auditor’s Office in Port Townsend
• King County Records and Licensing Services in Seattle
• Kitsap County Auditor’s Office in Port Orchard
• Klickitat County Auditor’s Office in Goldendale
• Lincoln County Auditor’s Office in Davenport
• Pierce County Auditor’s Office in Tacoma
• Skagit County Auditor’s Office in Mount Vernon
• Snohomish County Auditor’s Office in Everett
• Spokane County Auditor’s Office in Spokane
• Walla Walla County Auditor’s Office in Walla Walla
• Whatcom County Auditor’s Office in Bellingham
• Whitman County Auditor’s Office in Colfax

Quick Title counter service is not available at the Department of Licensing headquarters office in Olympia or at any location in Thurston County. But more counties are expected to begin offering this service in the future.

DOL Job Openings

DOL Job Openings

The Washington State Department of Licensing currently has job openings for two Senior Project Managers and one WordPress Specialist / Web Developer.

The Senior Project Manager openings are full-time, permanent positions with monthly salaries ranging between $5,369.00 and $7,040.00.  Both of these jobs are located in Olympia.  The closing date for these two positions is May 18, 2012.  Read more and apply for the Senior Project Manager positions here.

The WordPress Specialist / Web Developer is a non-permanent, on-call position lasting between three and six months.  The hourly salary ranges from $22.94 to $33.21.  This position is also located in Olympia.  The closing date for this opening is April 25, 2012. Read the full job description and apply for this position here.

Even if you decide not to apply for these jobs, we’d be grateful if you considered helping us spread the word about these openings by sharing this blog post using the social media tools conveniently located below.  Thank you!

Don’t be taken for a ride by an unlicensed limousine company

Whether you are a high school student getting ready for prom, or someone planning a special event, if you are going to be hiring a limo, make sure it is licensed by the state. 

There are many quality limousine companies to choose from in Washington state.  Always check references and make sure the company is licensed before you hire them.

To find out if the limousine service you plan to use is licensed by the state, visit the Department of Licensing website at www.dol.wa.gov/business/limousine/ 

If you do not see the business listed, or you do not see it listed as a limousine company, please call 360-705-6744 to verify the limousine company is properly licensed.

Ride safely and in style.

Off-road motorcycle update

Last year, the state Legislature passed a law allowing individuals to register motorcycles manufactured for off-road use as street-legal motorcycles if specific safety equipment is installed and inspected by a Washington licensed motorcycle dealer or repair shop. This month, DOL started accepting these new registrations and also notified about 600 owners of off-road motorcycles that were improperly registered as street-legal motorcycles that they will have to complete the inspection process to retain a street-legal registration for their motorcycle.

After being alerted by motorcycle owners about errors in the system, we looked carefully at all potential sources of data available to determine whether a motorcycle should be classified as off-road or street legal. We found there is no way for us to reliably determine the manufacturer’s intended use for some of our state’s motorcycles.

Because of this data issue, DOL will allow motorcycles currently classified as street legal to remain street legal. We have sent letters to 600 affected motorcycle owners to notify them that they can renew their tabs normally.

The owners of off-road motorcycles that are not currently registered as street legal will still be required to complete the inspection process under RCW 46.16A.435 if they wish to convert their motorcycle for street use. 

All owners of off-road motorcycles that have been modified and licensed for street use will be responsible to make sure their motorcycles have all of the safety equipment required under state law and that it is in proper working order whenever the motorcycle is operated on public roads. If the required equipment is missing or not functioning properly, the rider can be stopped and cited by law enforcement officers.